The mother was tired. She had taken four of her six kids to the mall to complete back-to-school shopping. Enough said, right? Standing in line with charge card in hand, she hears the raspy voice of her eight-year-old son singing at the top of his lungs. She looks over and sees him leading his three sisters in and out of clothing hanging off various racks. Leaving the line, she bolts over to scold her children for their inappropriate behavior and suddenly realizes the song they are singing: "Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so." The mother stops to watch her children finish the song before calling them to her side.
Why do we become so scared to proclaim the truth about Jesus? Why do I hesitate so often to share the message I once sang so boldly as a young, rambunctious boy? Have we become so secularized that we fear offending the crowds with the hope that is ours in Christ?
Andrew displayed a childlike enthusiasm as he sought out his brother Simon to tell him he had found the Messiah. Perhaps, we need to ask God to renew that childlike enthusiasm in each of our hearts today.
THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, may I be so bold as to sing Your praises out loud, whether in my home or in a crowd. Empower me to share the life-giving message of Your salvation with those around me. The world needs to know You. Let me be a mouthpiece for your Gospel. In Your Name. Amen.
Written by Rev. Chaplain James Paul Mueller
Lutheran Senior Services, Heisinger Bluffs
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